Gunfire Erupts in Belmopan as Gang Feud Spills Into Streets

The comfort and safety ordinarily felt by residents of the City of Belmopan were shattered on Saturday when as many as thirteen gunshots were fired in the Cohune Walk area. A video of the incident shows a man placing his body outside the window of a white SUV and opening fire on persons inside a Mazda SUV.   Inside the SUV were 23-year-old Jamal Hyde and three other men. The bullets struck Hyde once in the leg and riddled his SUV as the group dashed out of the vehicle. Today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero explained that police believe the shooting is the result of a feud between gang elements in Roaring Creek Village.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “Investigation revealed that Jamal Hyde was in a Mazda vehicle when an occupant from a suburban vehicle fired several shots towards his vehicle causing the injury to him. There were two other persons in the Mazda but they were not injured. Jamal Hyde has since been treated and released from the hospital. The vehicle involved in the shooting has been recovered and several persons are in custody pending investigation. I am aware that they are known to each other that’s all I know.  Some internal feud with these persons involving Jamal Hyde. They have some feud amongst themselves and that is what led to this shooting.”

Reporter: Do police believe that Jamal Hyde and his passengers were trailed by the persons in the vehicle ? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “Yeah, at some point the suburban came upon the  Mazda because the Mazda had  been to several places in Belmopan prior to the shooting. There was a firearm recovered and again investigation is being carried out to determine if it can be linked to the shooting.”

The shooting has also left residents of the municipality feeling uneasy and concerned. Mayor Pablo Cawich was non-chalant over the incident.  He did tell us, however, that they will be updated by the investigators. 

Jamal Hyde is no stranger to police and was charged with two counts of abetment to murder in 2024.